5 Best Manga About Serial Killers, Ranked

Highlights

• Manga appeals to diverse audiences worldwide due to its relatable characters and varied genres.
• Fans of psychological thrillers and horror will be captivated by manga focused on serial killers.
• Works like
  Yuureitou, Lesson of the Evil, Erased, Death Note,
  and
  Monster
  offer unique and engaging storytelling.

Manga have been a popular medium of entertainment for decades now. One critical reason for its global influence is the fact that it caters to people of different age groups, classes, and genders who have diverse preferences. By introducing readers to relatable characters and their challenges, manga continue to hold a special place with millions of global fans worldwide.

Since the manga industry thrives on its unique diversity of genres, readers naturally look for even more specific sub-categories to dive into. Although there aren’t many works focused primarily on serial killers, such stories do have a cult following. Manga readers who are looking for such recommendations will probably enjoy the works listed below.

5 Yuureitou

A Serial Killer Manga That Brilliantly Incorporates Horror Elements

• Author: Tarou Nogizaka
• Volumes: 9
• Chapters: 80
• Release Date: May 28, 2010

A woman brutally kills her adoptive mother on a clock tower sometime in the 1950s. In the aftermath of the horrible incident, people start calling it the ghost tower, as rumors and conspiracy theories about the place became quite common.

Sometime later, a man named Amano Taichi is brutally murdered at the tower. As an eerie reminder of the previous crime, the culprit kills the victim by attaching him to the needles of the clock, which slowly shreds his muscles to pieces. This painful display of heinous crime leaves behind a dreadful series of clues that require rigorous investigation by law enforcement authorities.

Yuureitou recounts a harrowing tale of murder and mystery that captivates viewers till the very end. Interestingly, the manga masterfully incorporates horror elements and utilizes them to add another dimension to the story. Readers who wish to read a manga that surprises them at every turn should look no further, Yuureitou is a perfect blend of psychological depth, tension, and chilling atmosphere.

4 Lesson Of The Evil

Story Of A Narcissistic Serial Killer

• Author: Yusuke Kishi
• Volumes: 9
• Chapters: 36
• Release Date: March 7, 2012

Seiji Hasumi is a popular and beloved teacher at the Shinkou Academy Machida High. Known for his generous and kind nature, he is a student favorite who appears to prioritize the well-being of his pupils. But behind his flawless public facade lies a sinister psychopath. Seiji is a control freak manipulator who relishes the idea of running things his way. In this pursuit to handle Shinkou Academy Machida High as he deems fit, Hasumi is willing to go to any lengths.

Lesson of the Evil, also known as Aku no Kyouten, revolves around Seiji and his crimes that can send a shiver down anyone’s spine. This psychological horror manga keeps readers engaged through its suspenseful storytelling and is an ideal psychological thriller for fans of the seinen genre.

3 Erased

An Unpredictable Tale Of Betrayal, Desperation, Friendship, And Murder

• Author: Kei Sanbe
• Volumes: 9
• Chapters: 49
• Release Date: June 4, 2012

Satoru Fujinuma is a struggling mangaka who works as a pizza deliveryman to make ends meet. Although he may seem like an average 29-year-old, Fujinuma is gifted with the mysterious power to go back in time whenever he is the victim of a life-threatening incident. So, when one of his loved ones loses their life, and he is erroneously suspected as the culprit, Satoru mysteriously finds himself back in his school days. During that phase of his life, 18 years ago, his classmate Kayo Hinazuki lost her life, which had a far-reaching influence on Fujinuma as well.

Erased follows Satoru Fujinuma as he tries to connect the dots to understand how Kayo’s disappearance and subsequent death are linked to the crime that happens 18 years in the future. Kei Sanbe’s breathtaking manga weaves an intriguing tale that amalgamates mystery and supernatural genres. The story, in some sense, draws inspiration from typical murder mysteries, but it stands out by crafting a unique ending that leaves readers shocked.

2 Death Note

A Classic Serial Killer Manga That Continues To Be Widely Popular

• Author: Tsugumi Ohba
• Volumes: 12
• Chapters: 108
• Release Date: December 1, 2003

Tsugumi Ohba’s psychologically stimulating iconic manga has braved the test of time and retained its influence on the mystery genre for almost two decades now. Through its imaginative storytelling, Death Note introduces viewers to a gifted young boy named Light Yagami with a bright future ahead of him whose life takes a dark turn as he ends up with a supernatural notebook that grants him powers beyond his wildest imagination. Although he sets out to put his newfound supernatural abilities to good use, the line between good and evil soon begins to blur as Light’s desire to shape a new world order pushes him to make some unquestionably evil decisions.

Death Note is one of those manga that constantly pushes readers to question their preconceived assumptions at every twist and turn. The endless drama fueled by the psychological warfare between Light and his nemesis L is an intriguing and intellectually stimulating experience. The manga has had a profound influence on pop culture, and continues to be a fan favorite. One could even argue that Death Note is one of the best serial killer manga of all time.

1 Monster

Arguably The Greatest Psychological Mystery Manga Ever Written

• Author: Naoki Urasawa
• Volumes: 18
• Chapters: 162
• Release Date: December 5, 1994

Monster is one of those rare works of profound intellectual meditation that explores two conflicting moral positions to the extreme, and leaves it up to the reader to decide what conclusions they wish to draw from the experience. In its ruthless assessment of human nature, the manga does not hesitate to investigate the dark side of morality by going deep into the complexity of ethical judgments.

Naoki Urasawa’s award-winning manga introduces readers to an idealist brain surgeon named Kenzo Tenma who is known for his diligent, honest, and kind nature to his colleagues and patients. Staying faithful to his principles, one ordinary day he decides to operate and save a young boy named Johan, while leaving the local mayor for dead. This turns out to be a life-changing incident for Tenma, as he is not only stripped of his position, but also realizes that his choices indirectly trigger a chain of sinister events.

This mystery manga highlights the moral dilemmas faced by Kenzo as he comes face-to-face with a dangerous serial killer who is hell-bent on challenging his idealistic worldview. Monster captures the readers’ attention with brilliant storytelling and well-developed characters. Readers who are looking for a complex story that captivates and challenges them to rethink their values, will probably enjoy Naoki Urasawa’s legendary manga.